It’s Week 12! As time continues to make fools of us all as it slips increasingly into the future, let us not be sad that the fantasy season is on its dying days. Instead, let us be grateful that it happened. While this season has been a dumpster fire of sorts, this has forced many of you players to dig in that much more into the research and become sharper fantasy wolves.
The Wolf and the rest of us here at RSJ are thrilled to continue to be your lead blocker; paving the way to your fantasy greatness!
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Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan vs Bucs
Billie Eilish wrote a hit song just for the sake of telling you “Duh!”. While Ryan may have been the bad guy for your fantasy team the last few weeks, if he doesn’t crush this week he might earn a place on our cut report next Tuesday.
Anything on defense that doesn’t involve stopping the run, the Bucs suck at. Plain and simple. This one screams shootout too. With an over/under around 51 there are a lot of fantasy points to be scored here. The Bucs allow the second most fantasy points to opposing QBs. If you don’t want Billie Eilish stalking you in your sleep, just to tell you “Duh!” then protect yourself and start Matt Ryan.
Honorable Mention: Jameis Winston, Jeff Driskel
Running Backs
Kareem Hunt vs Dolphins
Wait. Some of you reading this are thinking I’m nuts for saying Hunt instead of Chubb here. Well if you have to ask yourself that question, then you need to take a hard look at yourself and ask “should I even be allowed to play with scissors?”
Despite the fact that since his return, Hunt has out produced Chubb from a fantasy perspective. Since returning from suspension, Hunt has been the RB16 while Chubb the RB19. Our rankings here certainly don’t reflect Hunt > Chubb. Chubb is a set it and forget it style of player and shouldn’t even be mentioned as a start/sit question.
Hunt is playing against the Dolphins. They rank 25th against the RB position. Hunt has 13 receptions in his two games played. As the clear third pass catching option in this offense, Hunt has a rock solid PPR floor. He also is a human joystick and can break one loose at any moment. Hunt is a great flex/RB2 option this week.
Honorable Mention: Bo Scarborough, Phillip Lindsay
Wide Receiver
Jarvis Landry vs Dolphins
I don’t normally like to advocate for revenge games. They rarely ever seem to live up to the hype and are just annoying headlines used way too much. It’s worse than beating a dead horse. Still, one could say this week’s column has a feature… start players vs the Dolphins. Well, you’re half right. That’s been the story the entire season. As I mentioned above, while talking about Hunt, the Dolphins are a very bad football team with an even worse defense.
Why am I advocating for the revenge narrative with Landry? Why isn’t he just an obvious honorable mention? Most importantly, why am I pounding the table for him over Odell Beckham Jr? Simple. Chemistry. Landry has displayed a chemistry with Baker Mayfield this season that many yearned for last season. The Dolphins are the 20th ranked defense against fantasy wide receivers. Most importantly though, they are at the bottom of the league in terms of rushing the quarterback. Mayfield not being under duress or on his butt all game can only lead to fantasy goodness. Plus it doesn’t hurt to remember that the Dolphins failed miserably to surround Landry with any kind of meaningful talent. Probably some bitterness there.
Honorable Mention: DK Metcalf, Taylor Gabriel
Sit ‘Em
Quarterback
Carson Wentz vs Seahawks
Yeah yeah yeah. I know. Seattle is a middle of the pack defense against the quarterback. Why would I recommend sitting Wentz? Simple. His receiving core is tattered and the chemistry between quarterback and wide receiver is even more in shambles. Simply put, the Eagles are not a good offense this year. Wentz has scored less than 16 points in four consecutive games.
One could argue that’s a good rationale for a breakout. I’m inclined to pass on the potential breakout of Wentz since Alshon Jeffrey could very well end up missing this game. Wentz is certainly talented enough to get the job done, but I think it’s best to just stream the position elsewhere.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers, Nick Foles
Running Back
Ronald Jones II vs Falcons
This shouldn’t really come as a shock. Jones has improved drastically from last season. He’s going against the miserable Falcons defense. Has the Duck of Roto Street finally cracked? While I can neither confirm nor deny that, I can say that you should stay away from Jones this week.
Last week Jones only played 31% of the teams total snaps. That’s a sharp drop from averaging at least 45% the previous two games. Of those 31% of snaps, he only mustered four rush attempts for 13 yards and two catches for one yard. That kind of high caliber performance can only be rewarded with a place in the doghouse this week. Also, this game will likely be decided through a jet flyin’, wheelin’ and dealin’ aerial assault. Also, the Falcons inadequacies against the run might have been exaggerated a smidge. The Falcons are the 14th ranked defense against fantasy running backs.
That’s certainly not intimidating, but neither is it inviting. With a projected low volume involvement and a tendency to struggle actually rushing the ball, Jones might be best served on the bench.
Honorable Mention: Sony Michel, Brian Hill
Wide Receiver
John Brown vs Broncos
Yeah I said it. John Brown, ask me again I’ll knock you down! Shout out to the original “Little Rascals” for that gem. I’ll keep this brief. Brown has been sensational this season and an uncharacteristically consistent fantasy receiver. Brown projects to see a healthy dose of Chris Harris in this game, who only gets targeted on around 13% of his coverages. In short, teams don’t like to throw it Harris’ direction.
I could be talked into flexing Brown due to his ability to boom at any moment. If there was ever a week to break that seven game streak of scoring at least 10 PPR points it would be this one.
Honorable Mention: Brandin Cooks
